Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served for five years as Parochial Vicar at St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philly. He is currently studying toward an STL in sacred liturgy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

N THEEARLYCHURCH, particular Churches were noted for specific strengths (and, sometimes, specific weaknesses). The same is true even now. There are certain dioceses throughout the world that are especially notable in one fashion or another, for example: Venice, Manila, München und Freising, Westminster, New York, Paris, Montreal, Calcutta, Armagh, and so many others. These sees have become notable on account of various factors. In some cases, what makes the place noteworthy is its historical or political import. In other cases, the significance is the cultural richness of the place. In still other places, it is the saintly figures the territory has produced that make it stand out.

Within the United States, even, there are some dioceses that stand out in unique ways: St. Louis, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Boston, etc. Similarly, within every diocese, there are certain parishes that are especially remarkable, whether on account of history, architecture, outreach, or some other unique feature. As members of a hierarchical Church, none of this should surprise or upset us. After all, when one member of the Body is honored, all of us share in that member’s joy (c.f., 1 Corinthians 12:26).

Philadelphia is my home, so I naturally have a fondness for the place. My predispositions notwithstanding, Philadelphia is objectively a local Church of great richness. It is home to a Latin Rite diocese and a Ukrainian archeparchy. It claims both St. Katharine Drexel and St. John Neumann as its own. Philadelphia set a model for the rest of the country with its Catholic school system and its Forty Hours devotions. It is the birthplace of freedom and the nation’s first capital. Philadelphia has hosted a Eucharistic Congress and a papal visit (from St. John Paul II), and the archdiocese is presently preparing for next year’s World Meeting of Families, expected to bring Pope Francis to these shores.

All of these factors contribute to the richness I see in the Church of Philadelphia. When we celebrated our bicentennial as a diocese in 2008, these blessings were all collected and organized in a history book that was distributed through our parishes. Another factor that distinguishes the tradition of our archdiocese is its long history of sacred music. What is it about sacred music in Philadelphia that is worthy of note? I encourage you to check out this recently published brief booklet to see for yourself.

Beyond the contents of that booklet, there are many other notable facts about this city’s contributions to sacred music. It was in Philadelphia, for instance, that the first American Catholic hymnal was published (Litanies and Vesper Hymns and Anthems as They are Sung in the Catholic Church Adapted to the Voice and Organ, John Aitken, 1787). Philadelphia was home for more than 40 years to Nicolai Montani, famous for his St. Gregory’s Hymnal, which used to be standard issue for Catholic choirs. Lorenzo Perosi, former Maestro of the Sistine Choir and co-writer of Pope St. Pius X’s Tra le Sollecitudini, had connections with St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, for which he composed a Mass. For decades, liturgical music in Philadelphia was under the helm of the incomparable Dr. Peter Lamanna, once dubbed “Mr. Church Music” by a local newspaper. Today, Philadelphia boasts a terrific Archdiocesan Choir, Archdiocesan Boys Choir, Archdiocesan Girls Choir, and a Cathedral Concert series that attracts serious ensembles of the highest quality.

Many great things could be said of every local Church. Collecting a history such as this one might be a worthy endeavor for your diocese.

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Priests have expressed concern about throwing the Word of God into the garbage every few months. The Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal contains the complete Sunday readings for Years ABC, complete Gradual texts, and magnificent page layouts.

Watershed assisted the Birmingham Oratory with media work leading up to the Papal visit and Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman. Our documentary shorts provide online tours of the Oratory, including the Cardinal’s Room and Library as well as the parish church and its chapels.

St. Jennings was executed for being a Catholic priest. Seized whilst in the act of saying Mass in the house of St. Swithun Wells, he was hanged, drawn and quartered outside the same house. His execution was particularly bloody. St. Swithun Wells was hanged immediately afterwards.

This new Gregorian Chant Mass (with optional organ accompaniment) uses the new ICEL translation of the Roman Missal. We provide free practice videos, vocalist scores in modern and Gregorian notation, congregational booklets, and much more!

Kevin Allen's brilliant new SATB collection of twelve (12) Sacred Motets that can be used all throughout the Liturgical year. 144 Practice videos by Matthew J. Curtis. Optional Psalm tones written out for each piece, in Latin & English.

Here is a newly-composed Gregorian Chant GLORIA in honor of Saint Edmund Arrowsmith (†1628). Please feel free to download the PDF organist scores, PDF vocalist scores (in both Modern and Gregorian notation). This setting uses the new ICEL translation of the Roman Missal.

A 70-page collection of polyphonic Motets that can be sung by the average parish choir! Although the pieces were designed for SSA or TTB choirs, they also work well for mixed choirs. Matthew has also recorded 56 free practice videos to help your choir members learn these beautiful pieces.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father . . .

If you have an SATB choir that would love a brand new collection of dignified, beautiful, not-too-difficult motets, you need to check out Kevin Allen's "Cantiones Sacrae Simplices." Vocal phenomenon Matthew J. Curtis has also recorded more than 144 practice videos which carefully instruct singers who do not read music well. All 144 training videos are free!

Watershed assisted the Birmingham Oratory with media work leading up to the Papal visit and Beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman. Our documentary shorts provide online tours of the Oratory, including the Cardinal’s Room and Library as well as the parish church and its chapels.

Distinguished composer Kevin Allen has set twelve Eucharistic Motets for three voices. Although the pieces were designed for SSA or TTB choirs, they also work well for mixed choirs, and a special transposition table has been included for the ease of the choirmaster. Choirmasters and singers will appreciate the fact that these pieces are not difficult to sing.

An hour-long documentary on Sacred Music. Watershed's cameras take you inside the 19th annual Sacred Music Colloquium, sponsored by the Church Music Association of America. The DVD includes a 45-minute, never-before-seen interview with Dr. William Mahrt, CMAA President & Stanford Professor.

The Rt. Rev'd Dom Hervé Courau, Abbat of Notre Dame de Triors, has authorised Watershed to post the Community's Gregorian chant recordings on our sites. For this gracious permission, sincere thanks to Father Abbat, also in the name of all those chanters who will profit from studying these beautiful sung prayers of the Church.

John Henry Newman was born in London (2/21/1801) and died in Birmingham (8/11/1890). As Vicar of St Mary’s Oxford he exerted a profound spiritual influence on the Church of England. Through his extensive published writings and private correspondence he created a greater understanding of the Catholic Church.

This is part of our ongoing Liturgical work, and we are grateful to the many guest composers who generously donate their scores. In addition, we offer free resources for all the other parts of the Mass, and currently provide more than 6,000 free Liturgical scores.

Kevin Allen's world-famous SATB "Tantum Ergo" is now in print. This piece has been enjoyed by many thousands of people, and is featured as the opening piece on "Sacred, Beautiful, & Universal: Colloquium XIX." Corpus Christi Watershed is proud to offer this Motet, along with fourteen other beautiful Motets, in "Cantiones Sacrae II."

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